Gas-operated machine-gun.



110. 817,197. P'ATBNTED APR. 10, 1906 M. F. SMITH.

GAS OPERATED MACHINE GUN. v

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

GHQMZQ APPLICATION FILED FEB.21, 1903.

1 91 brand;

PATENTED APR. 10

M, F. SMITH.

GAS OPERATED MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.21, 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

GHQ-Lump No. 817,197. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906. M. F. SMITH.

GAS OPERATED MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21,1903.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4;

No. 817,197. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906. M. F. SMITH.

GAS OPERATED MACHINE GUN.

APPLICATION IILED FEB. 21, 1903.

LEW/IA v s SHEETS-SHEET 5v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MORRIS F. SMITH, a

citizen of the United of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Operated Machine-Guns, of which the following is a specification.

' I a This invention relates to automatic or and it consists semi-automatic in certain improvements in the construction of several of'the working mechanisms employed in such a gun, to wit:

The means by'whichreciprocating motion is developed from the lpressure of powderases generated in firing t gun and means w ereythep'oWder-gases taken 0H for this purpose are uti ized to partly neutralize recoil, a novel form of muzz e attachment bein also em ployed for completing the neutra ization of arecoil, the construction of the breech-closing stood'uponreference to the accompanying I drawings, inwhich trig er about to move forward to bolt, 'the means which develops in the bolt vertical locking and unlocking movements, as well as rec procating openingjand closing movements,

inent of the gasactuated mechanism, and

the means whereby firing is controlled, novel 'rnechanism semi-automatic or automatic as to firing at 3e being provided to render the gun will. My present invention will be fully under- Figures 1 and 1 are respectively vertical axial sections of the rear and forward portions-oi the gun. Fig. 2is a top view of the breech end of the gun. -Fig. 3 is a vertical l'on itu'dinal section ofthe receiver and parts wor g therein on an enlarged scale. Fig. .4 is a'vertical transverse section on the line 4' 4, Fig. 3. Fig; 5 is a detail perspective view of the reciprocating bar, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the breech-bolt. Fig. 7 IS a etail view of the firing mechanism, showing the parts in position for single fire before the trigger is pulled. Fi 8 is a like view showin the position of t e .parts after the s been pulled for sin le fire and has not een released. Fig.9 is a ike view showing the firing after the breech-block has returned to firing position and the firing-pin released and strike the firingcap. Fig. 10 is a detail .view showing the position of the' parts in continuous firing a short Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 21, 1903. Serial No. 144.547.

States, residing at Phila- .delphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State gas-operated machine-guns;

' the forward movement of the breech-bolt.

from the reciprocating moveshocks to the mechanism position of the parts in continuous- Patenteu April 10, 1906.

time before the position.

1 represents the magazine, of any suitable type constructed to contain and feed fixed charges of ammunition.

2 is the receiver containing the breech-cl0sing mechanism and the firing mechanism and into which charges of ammunition are delivered successively as the breech is opened.

3 is the breech-bolt, which haslocking and unlocking, as well as opening and ,closing,

drive-rod reachesits forward which may be movements in the receiver ,and which receives a charge in front of it as it moves back- Ward to open the breech. 4 is the barrel suitably joined to the receiver and'into which the charge is forced by 5 is the trigger mechanism which controls the projection of the firing-pin, and 6 is a mount of a well-known type, which'is shown here for purposes of illustration.

I will now proceed to describe the various novel features whereby the several objects of my invention are attained.

For develo ing a reciprocating motion from, the powd er-gases a pressure-cylinder 7 1s rovided having communication with barre 4 through controllable gas-ports 8, apiston 9 being located in said cylinder in position to receive pressure. from said powder-gases at the time of firing and having a piston-rod 10, through which motion is transmitted 'from the piston to parts to be actuated, and'a return-spring 11, surrounding the piston-rod for moving the piston in the opposite-direction, a shock absorbing and retarding device being introduced between the piston and its rodsuch, for instance, as a compressionsp ring1 2 of suitable strength for the purpose of taking up'the sudden impact of the gas andavoiding the transmission of destructive to be operated and also for retarding the action sufliciently to insure delay iii-the o ening of the breech gntil after the projectile as left the gun. Control of the ports 8 is accomplished by roviding the cyl nder 7 with a longitudinal ablelining 13, having ports 14: distant from the ports 8 and connected therewith by cii cumferential grooves 15 in the periphery of the lining, the lining being moved n. or out 'by its threaded connection 1-6'to ope nor close too the ports 8 to=a greater or less extent an clto.

correspondingl'y'liniit the quantity enters; the cylinder during? the shout "interval 4 ofjgas'that of the passage of the projectile. Ports 8 are I in the block 17 and communicate with the barrel through annular channels 18, turned in the peri hery of the barrel, and apertures 19, bored t irough the barrel, the channels 18 being closed on the outer side by a sleeve 20. Aperturcs 19 are multiplied in number in 1011- gitudinal series, the clrcumferential .grooves 14 being of like number. This has the important effect of graduating or term ering the admission of gas to the working cy inder, inasmuch as the apertures 19 are uncovered successively by the projectile, and the shock of the gasressure in the cylindenis thereby 'greatly re uced. These apertures 19 may also be multiplied circumferentially and increased in number toward the muzzle, so as to provide a longitudinal series of progressivelyncreasing circumferential rows of gas-outlets, with the effect of admitting only a small portion of gas for starting the movement of the iston and parts controlled by it and as the inertia of the parts is gradually overcome admitting thefull force of the gas to drive the parts to the limit of their movement. This effect is produced in a measure by the longitudinal series of single apertures; but the action may be improved by increasing the number of apertures toward the muzzle, as shown. Neutralizing recoil action.Ports 8 are in clined. rearwardly, as are also the walls of channels 18, while apertures 19 are inclined forwardly in the direction of flow of gases. Hence gas escaping from the barrel 4through forwardly-inclined apertures 19 expands and is deflected by the inclined walls in a manner to exert considerable pressure longitudinally of the barrel and in a measure neutralize the recoil action of the gun. It will thus be seen that the gas which has to be taken from the barrel of the gun is manipulated in such a manner as to perform the very important additional function of opposing recoil action.

As a further means of neutralizing the recoil action of the gun I provide a novel construction of muzzle-ca '21, consisting of an outwardly-enlarging ody threaded or otherwise secured to the muzzle of the gun at 22 and having the longitudinal bore 23 to permit discharge of the projectile. Intersectin the bore 23 are a series of outwardly an forwardly inclined chambers 24 2 26, having rearwardly-inclined escape-openings 27. The angular disposition of the walls of these chambers is such that gas entering each 'chamber as the projectile asses through it must be deflected by the we ls of the chamber and will escapein a rearward direction, causing 'areaction in a 'forward direction, and thereby tending to overcome the recoil of the gun.

Regulating tension on the return -spring may be accomplished by having the rear end of the spring 11 abut against the collar 28,

which protrudes through a slot 7 a in cylinder open and close the breech.

7 and is formed with teeth engaging with an internally-threaded sleeve 28*, confined between nuts 28*. .By turning the sleeve 28 the position of the collar 28 may be shifted so as to regulate the tension of the spring 1 1.

Actuating the breech-closure-Jlhe breechbolt 3 moves transversely to the bore of the gun (I have shown it movingvertically) for locking and unlocking it in a closed position, and it moves longitudinally of the gun to I In order to securely lockthe breech-bolt in position and also to guide it in its locking and unlocking as well as its longitudinal reciprocating movements and for the further purpose of affording an ample margin of safety in the resisting power of the breech-bolt and, furthermore, for insuring an aceurate'sliding movement the breechbolt is rovided with locking meanson opposite si essuch, for instance, as lugs 30, engaging in longitudinal grooves 30 and in vertlcal grooves 30*. (See Fig. 3.) These grooves define the movement of the breechbolt, and when the breech-bolt 'reachesthe forward end of its longitudinal movements its lugs come op osite the vertical grooves 30 and permit tlie bolt to move downward to a firm seat in locked position. The lugs 30 are multiplied in transverse as Well as longitudinal series in order to better serve the purposes just stated, and the horizontal dimensions of the several lugs increase.

toward the front end of the bolt, as also do the vertical grooves 30*, so that as the bolt moves from and to the forward limit of'its movement there is no tendency of any of the lugs to enter any of the grooves other than those to which they are fitted. The rear faces of some or all of the lugs andtherear faces of corresponding vertical grooves may be beveled or inclined slightly in order to facilitate entry of the lugs into the grooves and to cause a firm seating by wedging action, the angle of these bevels, however, being too slight to cause any tendency of the bolt to slide vertically under the rearward pressure of the powder-gases ina longitudi nal direction. In order to impart these vertical locking and unlocking movements and longitudinal opening and closing movements to the breech-bolt, the rear end of the piston 10 is connected by a'key 10, Fig. 1, with a reci rocating bar 29, traveling in a suitable gui 'e in the bottom of the receiver 2, and the breech-bolt 3 is provided with a depending yoke 31, having cam-grooves 32 on its opposed inner faces, which receive cams 33 on opposite sides of the bar 29. These cams 33 are preferably coextensive with the grooves 32, and elongated bearings are provided between these parts which will ar d the tendency of the breech-bolt to tip, the yoke 31 hi?" ing located at an intermediate point on the. under side of the breech- )olt to further insure a balanced efl'ect. The result thus obment of the bar 29 by which forces the breech-bolt "to'its seat in sponc tained by this disposition and construction of these parts is further insured by the symmetrical distribution of the locking-lugs and their cooperating grooves on opposite sides of the breech-bolt, as already referred to.

From the construction and relation of these parts it is obvious that rearward movethe action of powdergases on the piston 9 will be converted by the cams 33 in the grooves 32 into a vertical movement in the breech-bolt 3 so long as vertical movement is permitted by the grooves after which continued rearward movement of the bar 29 imparts rearward movement to the breech-bolt in the grooves In order to arrest the cam action at the completion of the unlocking movement and prevent undue friction of the lugs in the longitudinal grooves, the bar 29 is provided with shoulders 34, which abut against the forward end of the yoke after the cam action has taken place and thereafter transmitthe thrust of the bar against the bolt. During the cam action of the bar 29 in the breech-bolt the bar is necessarilymoving rearward relatively to the breech-bolt, and this motion is utilized to cock the un, for which purpose the bar 29 n b p 0 carries a horn 30 upon its rear end, formed with a longitudinal opening 36, through which the firing-pin 37 protrudes, the firingpin carrying upon its rear end a suitable enlargement formed by antifriction-rolls 38, mounted upon a pin 39, extending through the end of the firing-pin. Inasmuch as the breech-bolt, with its firingpin, is moving vertical during this relative rearward movement of the bar 29 and the cocking of the pin, the opening 36 is elongated vertically, and in this vertical movement of,the pin relatively to the horn the antifriction-rollers 38 travel upon the rear face of said horn.

As soon as the rearward movement of the breech-bolt is completed the return-spring 11 moves the piston-rod 10 forward. -At this time the cam action would again come into play and tend to move the bolt downward, causing undue friction of the lugs in the longitudinal grooves; but to avoid this the bar 29 carries a dog 40, which is tripped up behind the breech-bolt by a spring 40 in1media telv after the relative movement between the bar and the breech-bolt, which causes the unlocking of the latter, and is in a position to take the entire thrust of the bar against the breech-bolt in the forward closing movement, this dog 40 being. trip ed out of engagement with the breech-b0 t by a cam 41 as soon as theforwardymovement is completed, so that the bar 29'isthereafter free to continue its forward ioveinent relatively to the bIQQClb-bOlt and" cause the cam action locked position. H Single and continuous firing of t'he'gun is attained at will by having a scar 42 pivoted at 43 and tilted to engage with the firing-pin. i

by means ofa spring 44, but having a tail 45, which when the parts are in locked position projects above trigger and sear connector or push-pin 46, held normally downward by a spring 47 and having its lowerping in position to be controlled by a trigger 49. When the gun is to be operated for sin le firing-that is to say, fulfilling all of its functions up to the point of projecting the firing-pin to fire the gun, which last step in the single firing is to be accomplished at will of the gunnerthe push-pin 46 stands immediately above the trigger-point 49 in such position that upon raising the latter the push-pin 46 will be elevated and the sear 42 will be disengaged from the firing-pin. The trigger 50, which controls the trigger-point 49, is made to conform to the grip 51 and during the rapid action of the un will not be released promptly enough to bring its point 49, which has passed beyond the path of the push-pin 46, beneath the end 48 of the pushpin, for which reason the trigger has an elongated bearing on its fulcrum-pin 52, so that when the trigger is released the point 49 will readily pass beneath the end 48 of the push-pin under the action of the spring 53 into position for firing the un.

held normally in the path of the trigger 50 under no action of a spring 55, so' that the pull of the trigger 50 is normally limited, so as to cause the action 'ust referred to in connection with the single-fire action. If it is desired to prepare the gun for continuous firing, the stop 54 is removed from. the path of the trigger 50 by depressing the thumbpiece 56, after which the trigger 50 may be pressed still closer to the grip 51 to cause a horn 49? to be brought into the path of the end 48 of the push-pin '46, so that as the bar 29 -moves forward to the point where the i action is merely the modification of the gunners grip, it being obvious that under the more strenuous action of full automatic openation of the gun a mere increase of the hold will come very naturally to the gunner and will require a little thought 'to produce the effect.

Automatically feeding the ammunition is accomplished through the means of a gate 57, .trunnioned at 58 59 in the lower part of the magazine 1 and carrying upon its trunnion engages with a correlngly toothed up or surface of a transversely reciprocating b ock'61, which has a cam-groove 62 in its lower surface engaged by a pin 63 in the upper portion of the breech- 59 a pinion 60, which plish the hand operation, I

' ward bolt., Each time the breech-bolt moves to' open position the gate 57 swings and releases one 0 arge of fixed ammunition, so that the latter drops in front of the bolt in position to be forced into the barrel, the gate being returned to normal position by the forward movement of the breech-bolt.

- Other minor details of construction are disclosed in the drawings, which, while not of the essence of my invention, are referably used in the'construction of a gun 0 this charthat the breech-bolt may be operated andthe several functions of loading and firin carried out by hand should the gas-operated mechanism become disabled. -To accomrovide a block 66, sliding in a groove 67 an having a handle 68, havin a connection with said block, which wor s in a slot 69 in the side ofthe receiver, said handle also carrying a connecting-pin 70, which by swinging the handle outupon its pivot 7 l and sliding the block 66 to the upper position may be made to engage in a recess in the r'eci rocatin bar 29, after which said bar, &Il( through it the breech-bolt and the other mechanism, may be operated by hand.

72 represents a buffer located in the rear end of the receiver 2, which arrests the rearward movement of the parts through the medium of the reciprocating bar 29.

Having thus describedmy invention, the following is what I claim as new therein 1. In a gas-operated machine-gun, a cylinder containing a iston which actuates working mechanism 1n the gun, and having communication with the barrel through a plurality of gas-transmitting apertures arranged one in advance of another longitudinally of the gun and increasing in number toward the muzzle, whereby the admission of gas is graduated.

2. In a as-operated machine-gun, a pressurecylin er into which gas is introduced from the gun to perform work, having communication with the barrel through a plurality of circumferential series of openings or apertures. 7

3. In a as-operated machine-gun, a cylinder in w iich gas is admitted for the performance of work, havin communication withthe barrel through a pl urality of circumferential series of apertures arranged one series in advance of the other, and with the apertures in the several series increasing in number toward the forward end of the gun.

4. Ina gas-operated machine-gun, a cylinder communicating with the barrel of the gun, and receiving as-pressure therefrom to perform work; suc communication being effected through a longitudinal series of apertures, and the cylinder being provided with a lining having corres onding apertures but movable longitudinal y to regulate the opening of the apertures from the gun.

5. In a gas-operated machine-gun, a oylinder containing a piston having connections for actuating gun mechanism, ports through which the gas is delivered to said cylinder fromthe barrel of the gun, a lining in said cylinder formed with ports circumferentiall y distant from the ports leading from the gunbarrel, and circumferential grooves affording communication between the ports in the lining and those leading from the gun-barrel.

6. In a gas-operated machine-gun, a cylinder containing a piston operated by gaspressure to perform work; said cylinder communicating with the gun-barrel through suitable ports and having arranged therein a longitudinally-adjustable lining formed with circumferentlal grooves corresponding to the ports, and openings through the lining connecting the grooves with 'the interior of the cylinder.

7. In a gas-operated machine-gun, a cylinder containing a piston, communicating with the barrel of the gun to receive gas-pressure therefrom to perform work; such communication' being throughthe medium of forwardly-inclined apertures in the gun-barrel, rearwardly-inclined circumferential channels surroundin the gun-barrel, into which said apertures ischarge, and orts leading from, said channels to the cylin 1 er.

8. In a gas-o erated machine-gun, the

combination of t e gun-barrel, having forwardly-inclined apertures for the escape of gas, rearwardly inclined circumferential channels with which said apertures communicate, and a surrounding sleeve or jacket closing said channels; a splacing-block having ports communicating wit said channels, and a cylinder containing a piston operative under gas-pressure, communicating with said ports.

9. In a machine-gun, the combination with the breech bolt having a yoke, with camrooves therein, and a reciprocating bar havm cams working in said grooves; the cams being substantially coextensive with the grooves, whereby the breech bolt is prevented from tipping relatively to the bar.

10. In a machine-.gun,the combination of the reciprocating and transversely-moving breech-bolt having lockingmeans symmetrically disposed on opposite sides thereof, and having a yoke projecting in an intermediate position from said breech-bolt, with camv a shoulder parting movement to the breechbolt after dependently grooves in the yoke, and a reciprocating bar having cams engaging in the cam-grooves and coextensive therewith transversely and longitudinally of the grooves.

11. In -a gun, the combination with a breech-bolt, a drive-bar and a cam connec tion between the bolt and the bar causing them to move toward and from one another transverscl y to cause a locking of the breechbolt in closed position, of means carriedrby the drive-bar and engaging the breech-bolt after their relative movement to unlock the breech-bolt, to form a positive connection be tween the drive-bar and the breech-bolt upon the return movement of the breech-boltand prevent a wedging action of said parts in the gun-frame.

12. 'In a machineun, the combination of a breech-bolt having ongitudinal movements and transverse movements toward and from the path of the longitudinal movements; a reciprocating bar; a cam connection between said bar andsaid breech-bolt for imparting transverse movements to and from the same by relative movement of said bar;

or abutment on said bar for imcompletionof transverse movement of the bolt in one direction; in longitudinal movement to the breechbo t in the other direction independently of the cam action.

13. In a machine-gun, the combination of the breech-bolt rovided with'afiring-pin and having longitu inal movements and transverse movements toward and from the path of the longitudinal movements, a reciprocating bar having ahorn'through which said firing-pin projects for the purpose specified, a

cam connection between said bar and the breech bolt imparting to same transverse movements to and from the bar by opposite movements of the bar relatively to the breechbolt, a shoulder or abutment carried by said baradapted to engage'said bolt upon completionof its transverse movement in one di-. rection, and a yielding orreleasing means imparting movement to the breech-bolt independently of the cam and in a longitudinal direction as the bar. moves longitudinally in the 0p osite direction.

14. n a machine-gun, the combination of thebreech-bolt adapted to move lon'gitudi-. nallyl in o posite directions, a reciprocating bar provi ed with acam connection with sai breech-bolt for imparting transverse movements thereto, to and from the bar, and a releasable do carried b said bar for im artin i ii Y c longitudina movement to the breecholt inof the cam action.

15'. In a machine-gun, thecombination of the breech-bolt capable of longitudinal movements and transverse movements to and from the path of the longitudinal movements, a

andv means impart-" reciprocating bar, a cam connection between the bar and the block throughwhich transverse movement is imparted to said breechbolt, a releasable dog carried by the reciprocating bar for imparting longitudinal movement to the breech-bolt in one direction, and

a tripping means for said dog.

1 6. In a machine-gun of the character described, the combination of the breech-bolt capable 'of longitudinal and transverse move ments andhavmg a-firing-pm, a reciprocat in bar having connection withsaid breechb0 t for moving same, and a horn on said bar having an opening through which the firingin projects. and engaged by said firing pin or the purpose set forth. f

17, In a machine-gun, the combination of the breech-bolt having transverse and longitudinal movements, a reciprocating bar imparting movement to the breech-bolt, and having a horn with an o ening therein elongated in the direction of t ment-of the breech-bolt and the firing-pin in said breech-bolt projecting through said opening and engaging With the horn.

18. In a machine-gun, the combination of the breech-bolt having the firing-pin and a sear, a reciprocating bar adapted to move e transverse move said breech-bolt and provided with a horn through which the firin -pin projects for the purpose specified, a pusli-rod adapted'to engage said sear, and means for controlling said 19. In a machine-gun, the combination of a breech-bo'lt', having a firing-pin, and a sear, a reciprocating, bar adapted tomove said bolt and prdvided with a horn for engaging said firing-pin as= specified, and a pushin mounted on a. part-with which the bolt as relative movement andlin a position which brin sit in controllingrelation to thersear, as

said reech-bolt arrives in locked osition v j 20. In a machine-gun, the com inationlot a breech-bolt having a firing-pin, and a sear mounted thereon, a push-pm also mounted.

on a moving part and moving into controlling relation with the sear as the firing position,. and means for, moving said push-pin brought into controlling relation therewith as the parts reach said firing position.

21. In a machine-gun the combination of a breech-bolt and a firing-pin and a scar, a reciprocating bar for moving said breechbolt and provided with means for setting the firing-pin, a push-pin for said sear mounted on a moving part andbrought into controlling relation therewith as the breech-bolt parts approach reaches its dropped-position, and a trigger device controlling said pushpin.

22. In a machine-gun, the combination of a breech-bolt reciprocating in the gun, and carrying a firing-pin and a controlling-sear, a push-pin controlling said sear, and also mounted on a reciprocating part, and a device in the path of said push-pin causing it to release the sear as the breech-bolt reaches its locked position.

23. In a machine-gun, the combination of a reciprocating breech-bolt, a reciprocating barcontrolling the movement of said breechbolt, a firing-pin and sear mounted on the breech-bolt, a push-pin mounted on the reciprocating bar, and brought into controlling relation with the sear said bar, and means for causing the pushpin to release the sear.

24, In a gun, the combination with the breech-block and a drive-bar for operating the breech-block movable relatively to the same, of a firing-hammer carried by the brecch-bolt, a scar for. the hammer carried by the breech-bolt, a trigger mounted on the frame, and means carried by-the drive-bar forming a connection between the trigger and the sear.

25. In a gun, the combination with the breech-bl ck and a drive-bar movable relatively to one another to unlock the breechblock, of a firing-hammer carried by the breech-block, a sear also carried by the breech-block, a trigger for the sear, and means carried by the drive-bar forming a connection between the sear and the trigger and moved out of" connection with the sear on the relative movement of the drive-bar and the br(.:ech-blo(- l 26. In a gun, the combination with the breech-block and an automatically-operated part movable relatively to one another, oi a hammer carried by the block, a sear for the hammer carried by the breechblocl a trigger mounted on the frame for operating the sear when the breech-block is in closed position, and means carried by the automatically-operated part for connecting the trigger with the sear, said means being moved with the antomatieally-moving part out of'eonby the movement of.

nection with the trigger when the breech is 45 opened.

27. In a gun, the combination with the breech-block and a drive-bar, movable relatively to one another to unlock the block, of a hammer carried by the breech-block, a sear for the hammer also carried by the breechblock, a trigger mounted on the frame in a osition to operate the sear when the breechiilock is in closed position, and means carried by the drive-rod acting as a connector between the sear and the trigger when the breech is in closed position and moved with the drive-bar out of connection with'the sear and with the trigger when the drive-bar is movedto open the breech.

28.- -In a gun the combination with the breech-bolt, the firing-hammer, the sear, a sear-tripping means and a reciprocating part setting the firing-hammer and moving the sear-tripping means, of a trigger having two movements, one of which causes the operation of the sear through the tripping means on separate pulls of the trigger. only, and the other of which causes'the tripping of the sear through the tripping means on every return of the parts to firin position.

29. In a gun, t e combination with the firing-hammer, the sear, a trigger, and a seartripping means, of a part movable to set the firing-pin and move the sear-tripping means, and a stop for the trigger in one position per mitting the trigger to operate the sear throu h the tripping means on separate pulls of t 1e trigger only and in another position to permit the trigger to move to a position so as to actuate the searthrough the tripping means I on every return of the parts to firing position; The foregoing specification signed this 4th day of February, 1903.

' MORRIS F. SMITH. In presence of- IIERVEY S. KNmm', EDWIN S. CLARKSON. 

